Things keep progressing positively for LeBron James as he prepares for his return to the basketball court. LeBron will now reportedly be practicing with the South Bay Lakers. There appear to be no restrictions
on James, as this practice also includes 5-on-5 action.
LeBron has yet to make his season debut with the Lakers. He has been dealing with this sciatica issue since August. The reported expectation was that LeBron would be ready around mid-November, and so far, that still seems like a possibility.
Earlier reports indicated that James practicing with South Bay was a possibility, but it hadn’t happened yet. With the Lakers currently on a road trip, LeBron is getting some work in with the team’s G-League affiliate.
LeBron working with the South Bay Lakers is exactly the vision head coach JJ Redick had when he said the G League team and the Lakers could be a “model for integration.”
South Bay runs the same system the Lakers do, so James will be getting the same kind of reps he would be receiving if this were a Lakers practice.
If LeBron’s body responds well to full-contact play with no setbacks, then it’s just a matter of time before he makes his season debut with the Lakers. The team returns to LA for a game against the Jazz on Nov. 18. That could possibly be the contest where LeBron returns.
However, the team immediately hits the road for one more game against the Jazz, this time in Utah. So, maybe he waits and returns on Nov. 25 when the Lakers host the Clippers for an NBA Cup game.
If all that’s left is to decide when LeBron makes his season debut, then the Lakers are in a very good place.
Despite not having their superstar All-NBA player, Los Angeles has started the year 8-3. Once LeBron returns, that’ll be a huge injection of talent slotted into the starting lineup. Then, the Lakers can find out just how good this team can be when it’s at full strength.
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